A night and day of non-stop knowledge

Now in its fifth year, the annual event is a celebration of knowledge and learning in memory of two remarkable lecturers and researchers, Dr Tim Richardson and Dr Victoria Henshaw, both of whom our University community sadly lost to cancer.

Hosted by the charity Inspiration for Life, all funds from the event will support the Teenage Cancer Trust and Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity.

A fantastic line-up of speakers from across our University – physicists, lawyers, linguists, historians, engineers, medics and more – means there's something for everyone.

Our Vice-President for Education Professor Wyn Morgan will address the economics of Brexit and other experts tackle everything from biomechanics and fertility to fake news.

Attend as many of the half-hour talks as you like; drop in for one talk or stay for them all!

As well as the talks, there will be refreshments and a cake sale plus live music.

Tune into Radio Inspire

Make a donation by text

If you can't get to the talks or you just want to make a donation, you can now text 70070 with insp24 plus the amount you want to donate.

Thursday 30 March

7.30pm, Professor Wyn Morgan - How will Brexit affect your breakfast? Wyn gives an economist’s view of how Brexit could affect agriculture in the UK and also looks at the prices consumers might face when buying their groceries Follow Wyn

6.30pm, Professor Marie Kinsey - Fake news: checking it out: Marie's talk will look at the phenomenon of so-called 'fake news' and some of the initiatives that are helping journalists sort the wheat from the chaff. Follow Marie

11.30pm, Professor Allan Pacey: Balls of steel: hints and tips for good fertility: Allan's research interests include aspects of male infertility, from laboratory projects investigating the basic biology of human sperm to large epidemiological studies. Follow Allan

Friday 31 March

9.30am, Amber Regis: Charlotte Bronte's face: Amber explores how Elizabeth Gaskell uncovered what this much loved author really looked like and why it mattered to a book loving public. Follow Amber

12 noon, Outreach staff and participants – Reaching out with outreach – a young person’s perspective: Come along and hear from colleagues who deliver our important outreach programme, and from post-16 students about how we've supported them in their journey.

1pm, Val Derbyshire: Becoming a Heroine: Val explores the modern face of a romantic heroine, starting with historical texts and examining present day literature. Follow Val

1.30pm, Dr Jonathan Aitken: More robots, more fields: Jonathan will cover how we’re approaching field robotics at Sheffield - how we are using our natural facilities to advance our work and why doing things in the real world becomes even harder with wind, rain and unfriendly terrain! Follow Jonathan

Commemorating the lives of two inspirational academics

Dr Victoria Henshaw

Victoria, a lecturer in our department of Town & Regional Planning, (now Urban Studies and Planning) died of cancer aged 43 in 2014. She was fascinated by the role of the senses in the design of cities and buildings and worked with architects, planners and engineers to explore how odour is considered in city design and management.

She also published a pioneering monograph titled Urban Smellscapes: Understanding and Designing with Smell in the City (2013).

Head of Urban Studies and Planning Professor John Flint said: “Victoria achieved a great deal in her short time at the University and there is no doubt that she would have gone to achieve so much more.

"The field has lost an important pioneer, able to innovatively communicate ideas and knowledge well beyond academia, and our Department has lost a respected and popular colleague and friend.”

Dr Tim Richardson

Tim died of cancer aged 48 in 2013. He was an inspirational lecturer and scientist who taught for over 20 years in the Department of Physics and Astronomy.

The 24 Hour Inspire raises funds for the charity Tim established, Inspiration for Life, which promotes lifelong learning and public understanding of science and raises money for local cancer charities.